Concordia-Chicago vs SIU Edwardsville prediction: SIU Edwardsville opens at home against Division III Concordia-Chicago
The Cougars' home opener against a Division III visitor is a first look at whether last season's suffocating defense carries over and whether the offense has caught up.
- SIUE should control this mismatch against a Division III visitor, with the defense setting the terms early.
- Watch SIUE's half-court offense. Last season it ranked 269th in efficiency, the weak link on a 19-13 team.
- No spread or total has been posted. Last season SIUE played at 66.1 possessions per 40 minutes, 267th nationally.
A defense worth watching
SIU Edwardsville went 19-13 last season on the strength of one of the best defenses in the country. The Cougars allowed 97.1 points per 100 possessions, 10th of 365 Division I teams, and gave up just 64.7 points a game, 8th nationally.
The shooting numbers explain it. Opponents posted an effective field goal percentage (threes count 1.5 times) of 45.3%, 6th in the country, and made only 29.8% of their threes, 10th. Concordia-Chicago, a Division III program in the Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference, has nothing to measure against that, and its 2026-27 season hasn't started yet.
The offense is the question
Scoring was the problem last season. SIUE scored 106.4 points per 100 possessions, 269th nationally, and made 50.1% of its twos, 280th. The free-throw line didn't help either: the Cougars shot 67.5%, 335th of 365.
A home date against a lower-division opponent is a chance to see whether the shooting has improved before the schedule turns serious. These are last season's numbers, though, and it isn't known how much of that roster returns. Freshman Iwo Baganc is listed on the new roster.
Pressure and pace
Brian Barone's teams have not played fast. SIUE ran 66.1 possessions per 40 minutes last season, 267th nationally, so expect a measured game rather than a track meet.
The Cougars made up for it by taking the ball away. Their steal rate of 11.4% ranked 66th, and they forced turnovers on 18.4% of opponent possessions, 99th. Against a Division III backcourt, that pressure is the quickest path to a comfortable lead. The game tips Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 7:00 PM ET at First Community Arena.
Numbers that matter
| Defensive efficiency, last season | 97.1 | Points allowed per 100 possessions, 10th of 365 and the foundation of SIUE's 19-13 season. |
|---|---|---|
| Opponent effective FG%, last season | 45.3% | Ranked 6th nationally, a measure of how few clean looks SIUE allowed. |
| Offensive efficiency, last season | 106.4 | Ranked 269th, the part of SIUE's game that most needs to improve. |
| Free throw %, last season | 67.5% | Ranked 335th of 365, a weakness worth tracking even in a lopsided game. |
Concordia-Chicago vs SIU Edwardsville: quick answers
When is Concordia-Chicago vs SIU Edwardsville?
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET.